Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today addressed the Closing Ceremony of the 2^nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine at Bharat Mandapam, here today. Union Health Minister, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda; Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State for Ayush and Health & Family Welfare  and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO were present on the occasion.

Addressing a distinguished gathering comprising global policymakers, health experts, practitioners, researchers and representatives from the World Health Organization, the Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to advancing traditional medicine as a people-centric, evidence-based and globally relevant system of healthcare. He noted that over the past three days, experts from across the world had engaged in serious and meaningful discussions and expressed happiness that India has emerged as a strong global platform for such dialogue, with WHO playing an active and constructive role.

Highlighting India’s leadership in this domain, the Prime Minister said, “It is India’s privilege and a matter of pride that the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine has been established in Jamnagar.” Recalling that the responsibility was entrusted to India during the first Traditional Medicine Summit in 2022, he noted that the Centre’s growing global reputation and influence are reflected in the success of the present Summit. He observed that the event has witnessed a unique confluence of traditional knowledge and modern scientific practices, opening new avenues for joint research, simplified regulatory mechanisms, training, and global knowledge-sharing, which will make traditional medicine safer, more credible and more trustworthy worldwide.

The Prime Minister underlined that the theme of the Summit, “Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being,” reflects the core philosophy of holistic health. He stated that “Traditional medicine embodies humanity’s collective wisdom, refined over centuries through lived experience and harmony with nature, and offers sustainable solutions to contemporary health challenges.” He also remarked that Ayurveda defines health as balance, and many contemporary diseases – including diabetes, heart disease, depression and cancer – stem from various forms of imbalance in lifestyle, diet, sleep, emotions and work-life patterns. Stressing the urgency of the issue, he stated that “‘Restoring balance’ is not just a global cause, but a global urgency.”

Referring to technological advancements showcased at the Expo, including digital health technologies, AI-based tools, research innovations and modern wellness infrastructure, the Prime Minister said that when tradition and technology come together, the capacity to make global health more effective increases manifold. He emphasized that in the 21st century, rapid changes driven by AI and robotics will pose new challenges to human health, and traditional medicine must be prepared to address not only present needs but also future responsibilities.

Emphasising the need for safety and scientific validation, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s evidence-based approach, citing Ashwagandha as an example. He noted that while the herb has been used for centuries in India, its global demand rose significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. He pointed out that a special global discussion on Ashwagandha was held during the Summit, where international experts deliberated on its safety, quality and therapeutic use, reaffirming India’s commitment to integrating time-tested remedies into global public health systems through scientific evidence.

The Prime Minister also noted that the perception of traditional medicine being limited to wellness alone is changing rapidly. He welcomed the joint initiative of the Ministry of Ayush and the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine to strengthen integrative cancer care in India, combining traditional systems with modern oncology while developing evidence-based clinical guidelines. He further highlighted ongoing clinical studies on diseases such as anemia, arthritis and diabetes, as well as the growing participation of Indian start-ups, where youthful innovation is combining with ancient wisdom.

During the event, the Prime Minister launched the My Ayush Integrated Services Portal, aimed at providing seamless access to Ayush services, information and digital health solutions for citizens. He also unveiled the Ayush Mark, envisioned as a global benchmark to assure quality, safety, and authenticity of Ayush products and services, thereby strengthening international confidence and market access.

The Prime Minister felicitated the recipients of the Prime Minister’s Awards for Outstanding Contribution to the Promotion and Development of Yoga for the years 2021–2025, recognising exemplary efforts in advancing Yoga at national and international levels.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated the new WHO–South-East Asian Regional Office Complex in Delhi, describing it as a significant step towards deepening collaboration with the World Health Organization and strengthening regional and global health architecture.

Speaking at the Occasion, Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, applauded the strong commitment and active participation of policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and experts, which contributed to the successful conduct of the Summit. He stated that, the present global momentum around traditional medicine is the result of a clear and consistent vision, the credit for which goes to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

He also highlighted that India has taken pioneering steps to integrate artificial intelligence with traditional medicine, opening new frontiers for research, diagnosis, and evidence-based practice.

Referring to global and regional health leadership, the Union Minister stated that the newly built WHO South-East Asian Regional Office Complex in Delhi will emerge as a nucleus for dialogue, deliberations, and decision-making on key health challenges facing the South-East Asia Region. Union Health Minister also led the visit to the newly inaugurated WHO South-East Asian Regional Office.

Highlighting India’s recent public health achievements, Shri Nadda noted that India has been declared Trachoma-free by the World Health Organization, has received the Measles and Rubella Champion Awards, and has also been conferred the Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards for excellence in tobacco control.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, appreciated India’s sustained leadership and proactive efforts in promoting traditional medicine at the global level. He stated that India has emerged at the forefront of advancing traditional medicine through a structured, evidence-based, and integrative approach that bridges ancient wisdom with modern science.

Dr Tedros noted that India’s vision of “One Earth, One Health” closely aligns with the core goals and priorities of the World Health Organization, particularly in promoting holistic well-being, sustainability, and equitable access to healthcare. He acknowledged that India’s approach demonstrates how traditional medicine can complement modern healthcare systems to strengthen resilience and improve health outcomes worldwide.

Dr Tedros also commended Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for his pioneering role in championing traditional medicine on global platforms and for driving its integration with modern medicine.

Senior officials of the Union Government, delegates from member countries, researchers, and representatives of international organisations were present at the event.

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HFW- PM Addresses 2^nd WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit/19^th December 2025/1